This article introduces my Jordan – An Open-Air Museum series, originally published in July 2022, where I share the places that made my journey through Jordan so memorable. You can also explore my other posts on Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and more from this unforgettable trip.
When I told family and friends that I was travelling to Jordan, the question I was asked most often was, “Is it safe?”
Given its location in the heart of the Middle East, it was an understandable concern. I had wondered the same thing before I travelled. The answer, based on my own experience, was yes.
As a solo traveller, I felt comfortable throughout my visit. I explored downtown Amman on my own, travelled across the country and was met everywhere with warmth, kindness and genuine hospitality. I quickly discovered that Jordanians are proud of their country and eager to share it with visitors. English was widely spoken in the main tourist areas, making it easy to get around, and I found that simply respecting local customs and traditions went a long way.
Like many visitors, I travelled to Jordan with one place firmly at the top of my wish list -Petra.
Seeing one of the New Seven Wonders of the World had been a lifelong dream. It certainly lived up to every expectation, but what surprised me most was discovering that Petra was only the beginning.
Over the following days I explored remarkably preserved Roman cities, stood where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land, admired one of the world’s oldest mosaic maps, floated in the Dead Sea, crossed spectacular desert landscapes and found myself constantly surrounded by thousands of years of history.
By the end of my journey, I realised Jordan wasn’t simply home to Petra. It felt like one enormous open-air museum.
If you’re planning a visit, I hope this journey inspires you to look beyond Jordan’s most famous landmark and discover the many experiences that make this remarkable country so unforgettable.
The Moments That Took My Breath Away
Some experiences deserve a story of their own.
These were mine.
Petra – The Rose-Red City
Nothing prepared me for that unforgettable first glimpse of Petra through the narrow Siq. Watching the magnificent Treasury slowly appear before my eyes was one of those rare travel moments that genuinely takes your breath away.
→ Read my full Petra experience.
Wadi Rum – Jordan’s Desert Wonderland
Towering sandstone mountains, endless desert landscapes and complete silence made Wadi Rum unlike anywhere I had ever visited. It is little wonder that filmmakers have used it to represent the surface of Mars.
→ Read my journey through Wadi Rum.
Star Gazing in the Desert
As darkness fell over Wadi Rum, the sky came alive with thousands of stars. Far away from city lights, it was one of the most magical evenings of my trip and an experience I will never forget.
→ Read about my unforgettable night under the stars.
Floating in the Dead Sea
Floating effortlessly on the surface of the Dead Sea is one of those experiences that sounds impossible until you do it yourself. Strange, funny and unforgettable, it remains one of the most unique things I have ever experienced.
→ Read about floating in the Dead Sea.
More Treasures Waiting to Be Discovered
Jordan’s story certainly doesn’t end with Petra.
Jerash
Walking through one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy felt like stepping back nearly two thousand years. Grand temples, elegant colonnaded streets and impressive engineering revealed just how advanced this ancient civilisation really was. I even experienced the curious sensation of feeling one of the Temple of Artemis columns gently move in the wind—and, quite unexpectedly, listened to bagpipes echoing around the ancient ruins.
→ Read my full visit to Jerash.
Mount Nebo
Standing on Mount Nebo was a deeply reflective experience. Believed to be the place where Moses first saw the Promised Land, it remains an important pilgrimage site for Christians and offers visitors beautiful mosaics, fascinating history and sweeping views across the Jordan Valley.
→ Read my visit to Mount Nebo.
Madaba
Home to the famous sixth-century mosaic map, Madaba offers one of Jordan’s most important historical treasures. Seeing what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving mosaic map brought another fascinating chapter of biblical history to life.
→ Read more about Madaba and its remarkable mosaic map.
Amman Citadel
Perched high above Jordan’s capital, the Amman Citadel combines spectacular views with thousands of years of history. Exploring it on my own became one of my favourite days in Jordan, made even more memorable by an enterprising local photographer who transformed my scarf into traditional Jordanian headwear and created some of my favourite photographs of the trip.
→ Read my full Amman Citadel experience.
Roman Theatre
Only a short walk from the Citadel stands Amman’s magnificent Roman Theatre, still very much part of everyday life. Finding it involved navigating steep back streets and crossing one of the busiest roads I had ever encountered—a challenge solved by simply following two elderly local ladies who clearly knew exactly what they were doing!
Why Jordan Left Such a Lasting Impression
Jordan surprised me in so many ways.
Yes, Petra was every bit as magnificent as I had imagined.
But it was the combination of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, biblical sites, warm hospitality and unexpected everyday moments that made this journey truly unforgettable.
From floating in the Dead Sea and watching the stars over Wadi Rum to wandering through Roman cities and sharing smiles with local people, every day revealed another layer of this remarkable country.
I arrived expecting to visit Petra.
I left having fallen in love with Jordan.
If Petra is the jewel in Jordan’s crown, the rest of the country is the treasure waiting to be discovered.
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